Vinyl is our industry’s hard-to-break habit. Though everyone knows the production of vinyl creates toxic byproducts and that it does not biodegrade when it inevitably hits the landfill, it is still used often, especially in high-traffic areas such as hospitals and hospitality settings. But up until recently, there have been no better alternatives.
Nassimi is here to change all that. The company, which specializes in high-performance coated textiles launched Hyphyn this year during Chicago Design Week, a vinyl alternative that offers the same performance, durability and wear, but naturally biodegrades. And since its introduction, the product has been added by many of the world’s leading textile companies like Arc-Com, CF Stinson, Mayer Fabrics, Momentum, Pallas and Wolf Gordon.
Nassimi likes to keep its name behind the scenes and let its customers benefit from its innovation, but Hyphyn is a game-changer for the industry and the environment.
“The big elephant in the room with vinyl is that it ends up in a landfill,” said Iwan Nassimi, executive vice president. “(Vinyl) is a very durable product. It’s a very cleanable product, it’s resilient, and it has a good price to performance ratio. It’s great value and that’s why it’s also one of the most used categories in commercial upholstery, probably even ahead of woven fabrics. But the dirty little secret that nobody wants to talk about is that it’s going to end up in the landfill. It’s going to stay in the landfill. And even if you’ve done everything right at the front end and it’s a cleaner material and it’s responsibly produced and so on, that truth is still there. That’s the problem that we wanted to address.”
Engineered with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, Hyphyn maintains the commercial-grade durability designers expect while biodegrading more than 90% within two years in landfill conditions, a first for performance vinyl.
For decades, vinyl has been a go-to for workplaces, hospitality, healthcare and education environments thanks to its durability, versatility and affordability. Yet its persistence in landfills and contribution to microplastic pollution have raised sustainability concerns. Hyphyn changes that equation, offering a regenerative alternative that performs like traditional vinyl but decomposes responsibly after disposal.
What distinguishes Hyphyn is its ability to easily break down. Both its PVC face and polyester backing contain enzymes that activate in landfill environments, prompting microorganisms to convert the material into inert gases without producing microplastics or toxins. These gases can even be captured and repurposed for energy. Unlike conventional vinyl, Hyphyn also allows for safe incineration without dioxin emissions, offering another responsible end-of-life option.
Hyphyn underwent a five-part testing program to validate its safety and sustainability.
Material Safety: Verified free from lead, PFAS, heavy metals, and formaldehyde; meets Prop 65, RoHS, and REACH standards.
Biodegradation: Independent studies confirm over 90% breakdown within 24 months in landfill conditions.
Post-Degradation Soil Testing: Analysis of over 1,000 potential toxins found no harmful residues.
Soil Health Validation: 100% seed germination in soil exposed to degraded Hyphyn, proving no toxicity.
Indoor Air Quality: Certified low-VOC, ensuring safe use in interior spaces.
Nassimi had already made strides in responsible manufacturing — reducing water and energy use, eliminating chemicals of concern, and developing PFAS-free products like Supreen long before the industry even knew what PFAS was. But they wanted to do even better.
Better meant rethinking vinyl from the inside out. The Nassimi research team began exploring new biochemistry technologies that were emerging in other industries, particularly the use of enzymes to trigger biodegradation. Getting there wasn’t easy as the company was dealing with new science and had to check and recheck testing results. There was a tremendous amount of trial and error, he said. That patience paid off. Nassimi conducted testing in two separate labs — one overseas and one domestic — over four years.
Hyphyn was launched in three solid patterns and about 11 proprietary printed products. The company is working on more designs and patterns for early next year and each distributor is following up with their own proprietary designs.
Hyphyn doesn’t compromise on performance, aesthetics, or cost — three things that have historically made sustainable materials hard to scale. The performance is identical to conventional vinyl. The look and feel are soft, supple and luxurious. Other sustainable materials have hit the market, but most cost more than twice that of conventional vinyl. It was important for Nassimi to keep costs low. Hyphyn costs just 5-10% more than traditional vinyl.
Healthcare-focused companies are debuting new proprietary designs at Healthcare Design this month, while other brands will spotlight Hyphen at Boutique Design New York in November. In every segment, the response has been enthusiastic. While Hyphyn’s success might be enough to rest on, Nassimi isn’t slowing down.
“True innovation isn’t just about creating something new — it’s about rethinking what’s possible,” he said. “Hyphyn reimagines vinyl’s lifecycle, delivering the same performance the industry depends on while addressing the environmental impact no other vinyl has solved.”
It’s easy to overlook innovation in materials. Fabrics and coatings rarely get the spotlight they deserve. But Hyphyn might change that—not just because it performs beautifully, but because it challenges the assumption that performance and sustainability are mutually exclusive.
